Hot Takes & Cold Wars

In this analysis, David Raikow frames the ongoing conflict in Sudan as a humanitarian emergency and a symptom of Western diplomatic decay. Though the death toll grows, the crisis in Sudan has failed to penetrate the hierarchy of western interests. Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo are central figures in this conflict.

According to Raikow, the West presently lacks the diplomatic machinery to execute an operation as complex as this, consequences of the decades spent eroding its diplomatic institutions. Following the Cold War, the U.S. reduced its diplomatic infrastructure; cutting funding, shuttering USAID missions and embassies.

It seems almost perversely ironic that Raikow's analysis is so in-depth, but omits something so important: The U.S. isn't a spectator in Sudan's conflict, it has actually played a role in sustaining the war. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most enthusiastic importers of U.S. weapons, and a critical defense and trade partner.

Can imperialist nations truly assist in 'fixing' a postcolonial state without further reinforcing the dynamics and frameworks established by colonization? A simple answer would be no.

The article covers the hermeneutic divide between the detractors and the architects of the policy. Representatives of the State Department maintain that the antecedent humanitarian aid paradigm cultivated a system of dependency, produced inefficiency, and created developmental stasis.

The article, intentionally or not, illustrates the Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST). The United States was designated, rather than elected, the unipolar hegemon following World War II.

Aid still acts as an apparatus to further economic and political influence across the globe. Predatory western-led institutions like the IMF and the World Bank intentionally forced indebted nations to erode their own public infrastructure through the adoption of neoliberal reforms.

It should be stated plainly: withdrawal of developmental assistance unaccompanied with a viable successor is negligence, not reform.

This article details the recent controversy generated after Donald Trump suggested that republicans should "nationalize" voting. While participating in an interview with the former deputy director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, reiterated his claims of undocumented immigrant voter fraud.

It's not surprising to see specific rhetoric from this administration about blue states. They are trying to frame potential federal intervention as a necessity rather than intergovernmental pressure toward political opponents.

I don't believe that election nationalization would be beneficial for U.S. elections. Centralized control increases the likeness of political interference, and partisan polarization.

American-Backed Coups details the United States impressive, prolific, and century-long career of toppling foreign governments.

If imperialism is the evolutionary endpoint of capitalism, the U.S. skipped all tutorials, side quests, and went directly to the final boss fight.

Although I am being forced to choose, it does feel as if I am supporting the Empire and trying to rationalize the need for the Death Star.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) serves as the epic conclusion of the original Star Wars series. Luke Skywalker works as the transformational leader within this film.

One of the most important lessons this film presents is belief in redemption and hope. Luke is willing to risk his life for his belief that there is good in his father.